March Week One

Well this was the first week since last June that I had no doctor's appointments!  What a sense of freedom.

March Week Two

Back to appointments!  I got my first of the two Covid 19 Vaccines!  My oncologist said that with my lymphocytes so low, that I may not get full immunity, but some was better than none!

March Week Three

Chapel Hill - Thank you Erica for making the trip again!  The day began with a high resolution CT scan at 8:30.  The results show no cancer, only scar tissue!!!!!!!!  The downside of the results is that I do have permanent lung and heart damage from the pneumonitis and pericarditis from the immunotherapy.  How much that will impact my life in the future is unknown at this time.  I need to be completely off of the steroids and more stable before they will commit to an answer.

Pulmonary Function Test followed at 9:15.  My lung volume has increased each month by about 100cc.  My diffusion results were lower this time, but the doctor assured me that this number was not very reliable.  I was able to walk further without oxygen and kept my O2 saturation >90.

I went to the lab next and had some blood drawn.  Results show no increase in lymphocytes yet.  I am still anemic with low hemoglobin.  However my liver and kidney  function are returning to normal.

Doctor Rivera's appointment was overall very positive.  She made a statement that really shook me to my core.  "When I met you in January, I didn't even know if you were going to recover."  I had been so focused on getting better, that I hadn't considered the severity of my illness or the graveness of the alternative.  She is please with the trajectory of my recovery!

March Week Four

SECU Comprehensive Cancer Center - 

Labs were about the same.  It was nice to have a massage and the therapy appointment was very helpful.

End Note for Today

The steroids are still making me uncomfortable (but necessary for breathing). The thrush, heart rate, swelling, etc. sucks.  A few more months and hopefully I can put them behind me.

Personally,  I am grateful to be better.  I am still frustrated with the pace.  Most days I am very positive!